The funeral was a blur of black clothes and hollow condolences.
My mother-in-law, Doris, stood across the grave from us, her face set like stone. She never approved of me.
After the last mourners left, she approached, her steps measured on the cemetery grass.
“You know, if he hadn’t been racing home to you two, he’d still be alive.”
The words hit like slaps. Benny gripped my hand tighter.
“That’s not fair, Doris,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. “He loved us.”
“And look where that got him.” She glanced down at Benny, then back at me. “We don’t want you at the house anymore. You’ve taken enough from this family.”
